On the West Coast, Southern California erupted in flames, as the return of the Santa Ana winds against the drought-stricken land triggered two immense wildfires in the area.

Across the Pacific, a resilient heat wave slammed Australia making for sizzling temperatures at the Australian Open in Melbourne. The heat caused suspension of gameplay on Tuesday and Wednesday, as multiple players and spectators suffered heat-related illnesses.

North of Oz, widespread rainfall caused deadly flooding and mudslides, claiming more than 25 lives in the southern Philippines.

A blanket of fog surrounds the New York City skyline on Wednesday morning, Jan. 15, 2014. (Original Photo/Michael Surtees)

Along I-90, west of Sioux Falls, S.D., blowing snow and low visibility result in a 22-car pileup on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Twitter Photo/NWS Sioux Falls)

A wildfire burns in the hills just north of the San Gabriel Valley community of Glendora, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

A young spectator cools herself down in in the fountain in Garden Square as play was suspended when organizers implemented the Extreme Heat policy during second round matches at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Joshua Baker)

In this Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, photo, rescuers from the Comval Emergency Response Team continue their rescue operation following the flooding of Compostela Valley and nearby provinces in southern Philippines. (AP Photo/A. Dayao)